Nancy Moore driving force behind military history museum

As a member of the Class of 1947, young Nancy Bierk was an active student at Perryville High School. She was the editor of The Tuba, a cheerleader, pep squad president, dramatic club president, member of band and Honor Society, and won district and first-place state honors in verse.

On May 22, 1949, Nancy married Roger Moore. The couple had four sons - Mark, Kim, Chris and Jeff. Roger passed away in 2003. Nancy has 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

When you think of Nancy Moore today, you think of history. She has done more to preserve the history of the people and places of Perry County than most people can imagine.

She is a charter member of the Perry County Historical Society, founded in 1971, which operates Perry County Museum in City Park and The Faherty House Museum on Spring Street. The society and its members are also tasked with gathering, compiling and publishing historical documents and information concerning the county.

Nancy is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Perryville and serves on the Perry County Senior Tax Commission. She works as a pharmacy technician at HealthCare HealthMart Pharmacy.

Nancy’s greatest passion is for the military heritage of Perry County. She has spent over 6 decades collecting and caring for the artifacts, papers, uniforms, and photos of local men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

She is the driving force behind the Perry County Military History Museum, established in February 2011 at her insistence. The museum has now secured a longterm lease from the Perryville Higher Education Center to use the Bishop Sheehan Museum on the campus of St. Mary’s of The Barrens Seminary as the military museum’s home.

Looking back on her years at Perryville High, Nancy said that she appreciates the opportunity she had to learn from wonderful teachers.

“And the Class of 1947 just had the greatest people,” she said. “We’ve hung together all these years, and we all look back so fondly on PHS.”

Dorothy Hemman’s passion for Brazeau makes it a visitor’s favorite

Miss Dorothy Schmidt graduated from PHS in 1956. She was a member of the intramural volleyball team and worked on the library staff. Her yearbook describes her as one of “quick action.”

She married Alvert “Al” Hemman on Sept. 6, 1958 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg. The couple purchased the General Store in Brazeau in 1959 when the former owner retired. They ran Hemman General Store until 1971 and Al later operated his barber shop in the same building.

They had three children - Douglas, Corey and Jill. Dorothy now has 7 grandchildren.

In 2003, the couple opened Hemman Winery in the 150-year-old general store building along with their sons. Dorothy’s commitment to the history of Brazeau grew; she has dedicated thousands of hours to the Brazeau Historical Society.

Al passed away in 2009, and today Dorothy continues to operate Hemman Winery with her son Doug and his wife Bonnie.

She is very active in Missouri Wine Association and East Perry Cultural Alliance. She is a member of Mississippi River Hills Association and she and Bonnie are working with others interested in creating a local wine trail.

Dorothy played a key role in the addition of Brazeau to the annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive, held each April and showcasing small communities. Brazeau now welcomes thousands of visitors over the 2-day event with kettles over open fires cooking ham and beans or stew.

Dorothy served as a 4-H leader for 15 years and taught Sunday School for 15 years.

She is active in the LWML, and is a 50-year member of the Missouri Association for Family and Community Education Club.

Dorothy fondly remembers her years at Perryville High School.

“My fondest memories are making new friends, and that the very first PHS Homecoming was held during my senior year,” she said.